Innovative Utilization of Sericulture Resources to Value Added Products – A Review

Abstract

A number of by-products, popularly called as wastes are generated in different activities such as host plant cultivation, rearing of silkworms, production of silkworm seeds to produce quality commercial cocoons. Primarily sericulture is practiced to get the silk, while it also provides many by-products and even its wastes can be utilized to prepare various value added products which are intensive used not only in research line but also in the manufacture of products of day to day needs and make more cost effective. Cut and pierced cocoons are the raw materials for production of spun yarn and handicrafts of making good-looking value added products like garlands, bouquets, flower vase, birds and greeting cards etc. which are sold at a premium. Silk waste is well utilized in the production of spun silk fabric, ornaments, parachutes and cosmetic industry. The value of sericulture activity has increased by 10–25 percent as a result of the use of its by-products. Silk wastes have promising applications which broadens the sustainability of sericulture industry and thus prove to be remunerative in earning an additional income.